Afghan officials say approximately 1,000 people, mainly students, took to the streets Sunday in eastern Afghanistan to protest a long-term strategic partnership deal with the United States that would allow some U.S. troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014, when all international combat troops are to leave the country.
A traditional assembly of 2,000 Afghan political and tribal leaders endorsed the partnership Saturday at the end of a four-day day conference. However, the delegates at the loya jirga had some major qualifications to their support of the pact.
The leaders want an end to unpopular night raids by coalition forces and assurances the U.S. will hand over all detainees to Afghan custody.
Delegates also asked President Hamid Karzai to ensure that any agreement with Washington be limited to 10 years and presented the government with suggestions for its efforts to make peace with the Taliban through reconciliation talks.
The Taliban has condemned the loya jirga and has called for all foreign troops to leave the country.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
